Topic
Economy
The Geopolitics of Critical Minerals
By Mercy A. Kuo
Insights from Thijs Van de Graaf.
Singapore’s Budget 2025, Explained
By James Guild
Above-target tax revenues have pushed the city-state back into fiscal surplus for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gold Plot Auction Heightens Focus on Chinese Investments in Uzbekistan
By Catherine Putz
31 plots in Uzbekistan’s prime gold mining region Navoi went up for auction last month, sparking rumors and discussion about China’s growing business interests in the country.
The Future of South Korea’s Nuclear Exports: The Czech Deal in Focus
By Yeonsu Lee
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's successful bid will see South Korea break into Europe's nuclear energy market for the first time.
Trump’s ‘Maximum Pressure’ on Iran Complicates Central Asian Export Routes
By Nargiza Umarova
Changing U.S. policies present both risks and opportunities for countries like Uzbekistan, which have looked to Iran to connect them to global markets via the sea.
Expanding Mongolia’s Partnership With Japan and South Korea
By Bolor Lkhaajav
Given the current state of international affairs, it’s time to move beyond bilateral ties to explore a trilateral partnership between Ulaanbaatar, Tokyo, and Seoul.
Philippine Exit from Money-laundering ‘Grey List’ Marred by Allegations of Abuse
By Mong Palatino
Human rights groups have accused the Philippine authorities of using money laundering and terrorist financing laws to clamp down on legitimate dissent.
Sri Lanka’s 2025 Budget: Balancing IMF Commitments and Domestic Priorities
By Tharindu Udayanga Kamburawala
The 2025 budget – the first under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake – reveals a delicate balancing act between adhering to IMF mandates and addressing domestic economic realities.
Indonesia, Apple Agree Terms For Lifting iPhone Sales Ban: Report
By Sebastian Strangio
Jakarta banned the sale of the firm's latest smartphone in October for failing to comply with rules requiring the use of locally made components.
The Fraying of the Taliban’s Counternarcotics Efforts
By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
Tracing the ebbs and flows of Afghanistan’s narco-economy, which reflects shifting Taliban priorities and global conditions.
Why Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad Is Going Private
By James Guild
When is privatization not really privatization?
China’s AI Breakthrough Signals a New Era of Tech Innovation
By Grace Shao
China’s major tech companies are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the shift to real-world applications for AI.